On Tuesday evening this week I attended a fundraising dinner at the Burlington hotel in Folkestone to support the relief for the victims of the earthquakes in Nepal. This event has been one of a series organised across our area since the first earthquake struck in April. There has been a tremendous response to this cause, which demonstrates a great strength of feeling towards the victims, and solidarity with and support for the Folkestone Nepalese community. We have all been as one in our desire to help.
On the first day following the earthquake, the Folkestone Rotary club immediately responded by sending a ShelterBox to the relief area, as part of a nationally co-ordinated effort from the Rotary movement. Ray Johnson has offered his offices in Sandgate Road, Independent Insurance Services, as a collection point for people to leave clothes and blankets to be sent out to Nepal. There was an initial target set of one tonnes of clothing and equipment; equivalent to 100 boxes of aid. They have not only met that total, but now collected nearly six tonnes. A pause has been placed on donations for the time being to allow them to be properly processed. Dhan Gurung from the Folkestone Nepalese Association has organised for a logistics company from Ashford, called ‘Move it’ to provide free of charge, the boxes to export the materials collected, and for their transit to the airport for transfer to Nepal. Air India has also offered to fly the boxes for free out to Delhi, from where they will be sent on to the disaster zone.
There have been a large number of fundraising events, including collections in the town centre, and during Folkestone Invicta’s last home game of the season. A Nepalese curry lunch was also organised at the Shepway Council offices last Friday, to support the relief effort. Local financial donations have so far exceeded £7,000 and these are being sent directly to a registered charity in Kathmandu called Maiti Nepal; this charity has been chosen by our local Nepalese community. Maiti Nepal provides shelter for women and children, including the many orphans in the country, and you can find out more about them through their website www.maitinepal.org.
There is still an urgent need for funds to be sent to Nepal. Cash or cheques can be made payable to Folkestone Rotary Club who are collecting on behalf of the relief effort. It is possible to send donations to Independent Insurance Services, Church House, 136 Sandgate Road, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2BN, payable to Folkestone Rotary Club or BACS by using reference “Nepal” to Lloyds TSB, Folkestone Rotary Club, 30-93-34, 00575212. A receipt will be issued upon request.
The national fundraising support for the victims of the Nepal Earthquake is being co-ordinated through the Disasters Emergency Committee. You can donate through their website www.dec.org.uk and also find out more about the relief that is being provided. The government has also committed more than £33 million in humanitarian aid to date, and is working with the Nepalese authorities to ensure survivors get the help they need.
